Category Power Rankings: Week 5

Five weeks in and a lot has happened. We have had some rookie sensations, MVP caliber performances, super dud pitching, and everything in between.

We have enough of a sample size of data to be able to make some moves. Where we can begin looking to sell high or buy low. We may even find some injured list stash players with upside to help you down the road. 

That being said, let’s see where we stand this week…

 

Batting Average (AVG)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	–
2	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
3	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
4	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+1
5	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	-1
6	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	–
7	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	+1
8	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	+1
9	Michael Brantley	HOU	OF	+2
10	Joey Votto	CIN	1B	-3
11	Justin Turner	LAD	3B	-1
12	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+1
13	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	-1
14	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	–
15	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	–
16	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	+1
17	Xander Bogaerts	BOS	SS	-1
18	David Peralta	ARZ	OF	+3
19	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	–
20	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
21	Robinson Cano	NYM	1B/2B	+1
22	Kris Bryant	CHC	3B/OF	-4
23	Elvis Andrus	TEX	SS	–
24	Andrew Benintendi	BOS	OF	–
25	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	Unranked

Off the List: Dee Gordon

David Peralta is continuing to show that he will be a very good source of AVG, albeit with a .405 BABIP right now. The past two seasons he has posted a BABIP around .330 and has put up a .293 AVG in each of the past two campaigns, therefore there really should not be any doubt in his ability to keep it up to an extent.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B	–
2	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	–
3	Nick Markakis	ATL	OF	–
4	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	Unranked
5	Eduardo Escobar	ARZ	3B/SS	Unranked
6	Jesse Winker	CIN	OF	+4
7	Dwight Smith Jr.	BAL	OF	Unranked
8	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B/OF	Unranked
9	Adam Frazier	PIT	2B/OF	–
10	Renato Nunez	BAL	3B	Unranked

Off the List: Alex Gordon (ownership), Jason Heyward (ownership), Ben Zobrist, Manuel Margot, Avisail Garcia

The fact that Alex Gordon and Jason Heyward’s ownership have gotten too high for this list but Jorge Polanco is still widely unowned is just silly. Polanco is sadly owned in only 53% of Yahoo! leagues. He is shaping up to be a very legit hitter who has increased his launch angle while hitting the ball harder than ever before. This guy could easily be a top-10 SS by season’s end.

 

Runs (R)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+2
2	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	-1
3	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	-1
4	George Springer	HOU	OF	–
5	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	–
6	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
7	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	–
8	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
9	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	–
10	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
11	Andrew McCutchen	PHI	OF	–
12	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	–
13	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+2
14	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	–
15	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+3
16	Matt Carpenter	STL	1B/2B/3B	–
17	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	–
18	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+1
19	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	+2
20	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	–
21	Ozzie Albies	ATL	2B	Unranked
22	Fernando Tatis Jr.	SD	SS	Unranked
23	Mitch Haniger	SEA	OF	+1
24	Adam Eaton	WSH	OF	-1
25	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	-3

Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury), Andrew Benintendi

This time last week, the Padres inserted their franchise shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. into the leadoff spot and he has flourished. Tatis is an excellent candidate for a leadoff guy and it was only a matter of time before he hit his way to the top. The 20-year old has great on-base skills and is the kind of aggressive base runner you want hitting atop your lineup.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	+1
2	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	-1
3	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	+1
4	Dwight Smith Jr.	BAL	OF	+4
5	Nick Markakis	ATL	OF	Unranked
6	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	–
7	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	+3
8	Brandon Lowe	TB	2B/OF	Unranked
9	Adam Frazier	PIT	2B/OF	-4
10	Randal Grichuk	TOR	OF	Unranked

Off the List: Alex Gordon (ownership), Jason Heyward (ownership), Jay Bruce

Dwight Smith Jr. keeps forcing his way into relevancy with his play here in the early going. He is doing a little bit of everything right now and is certainly with a look especially in five outfielder roto leagues.

 

Home Runs (HR)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Khris Davis	OAK	OF	–
2	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
3	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	+1
4	Joey Gallo	TEX	1B/OF	+2
5	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
6	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+1
7	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	+1
8	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	+1
9	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+1
10	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	+1
11	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	+2
12	Nelson Cruz	MIN	UT	–
13	Manny Machado	SD	3B/SS	+1
14	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	+1
15	Trevor Story	COL	SS	+1
16	Matt Chapman	OAK	3B	+2
17	Marcell Ozuna	STL	OF	+3
18	Mike Moustakas	MIL	2B/3B	-1
19	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	+2
20	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	+2
21	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	-2
22	Gary Sanchez	NYY	C	+1
23	Charlie Blackmon	COL	OF	Unranked
24	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	+1
25	George Springer	HOU	OF	Unranked

Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury), Kris Bryant

A lot of the movement this week is primarily due to the oblique injury suffered by Aaron Judge this past week. Pete Alonso continues to move his way up this list as the Mets are looking smarter by the day for their decision to have him break camp with the big club, as he undoubtedly should have. While his AVG may be due for some negative regression, there is no question his power is going to play all year long and for many years to come. The dude mashes.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Franmil Reyes	SD	OF	Unranked
2	Hunter Dozier	KC	1B/3B	+5
3	Jay Bruce	SEA	OF	-2
4	Mitch Moreland	BOS	1B	–
5	Christian Walker	ARZ	1B	+3
6	Randal Grichuk	TOR	OF	-1
7	Max Kepler	MIN	OF	-1
8	Asdrubal Cabrera	TEX	2B/3B/SS	Unranked
9	Rowdy Tellez	TOR	1B	Unranked
10	Yandy Diaz	TB	1B/3B	-1

Off the List: Daniel Vogelbach (ownership), Clint Frazier (injury), Hunter Renfroe

Franmil Reyes was a popular name heading into the season among fantasy baseball circles but was then all but forgotten after a horrible start to the year. Playing time was an issue for the power hitting outfielder but it appears he is sticking around now. Reyes has the pop to be a nice addition and could carry you any single week in head-to-head formats when he is hot.

 

Runs Batted In (RBI)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Khris Davis	OAK	OF	–
2	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
3	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	–
4	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	–
5	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+1
6	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	-1
7	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
8	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	–
9	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	–
10	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+1
11	Nelson Cruz	MIN	UT	-1
12	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	–
13	Manny Machado	SD	3B/SS	–
14	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+1
15	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	+1
16	Ronald Acuna Jr.	ATL	OF	+2
17	Marcell Ozuna	STL	OF	+4
18	Trevor Story	COL	SS	-1
19	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	-1
20	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	-1
21	Joey Gallo	TEX	1B/OF	Unranked
22	Pete Alonso	NYM	1B	+1
23	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	–
24	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	–
25	Domingo Santana	SEA	OF	–

Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury)

Joey Gallo is off to a notable start in the AVG department. We all know that won’t last, but Gallo should have no problem exceeding 90 RBI as he did in 2018. He has barreled up the ball so well that if he falls to a .230-.240 AVG, it will do wonders for his fantasy value.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	+1
2	Jay Bruce	SEA	1B/OF	-1
3	Mitch Moreland	BOS	1B	+1
4	Justin Smoak	TOR	1B	+1
5	Ketel Marte	ARZ	2B/SS/OF	Unranked
6	Rowdy Tellez	TOR	1B	Unranked
7	Dansby Swanson	ATL	SS	+1
8	Chad Pinder	OAK	2B/3B/OF	+1
9	Randal Grichuk	TOR	OF	-2
10	Jorge Soler	KC	OF	–

Off the List: Daniel Vogelbach (ownership), Hunter Renfroe

Ketel Marte is finally healthy, is getting an opportunity in the D-Backs’ lineup, and is making the most of it. He seems to have a nose for driving in runs batting around the middle of the lineup and should hold value all year, especially when you consider his speed.

 

Stolen Bases (SB)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Whit Merrifield	KC	1B/2B/OF	–
2	Mallex Smith	SEA	OF	–
3	Adalberto Mondesi	KC	2B/SS	–
4	Dee Gordon	SEA	2B/SS/OF	–
5	Tim Anderson	CHW	SS	+2
6	Billy Hamilton	KC	OF	+2
7	Jonathan Villar	BAL	SS	-2
8	Victor Robles	WSH	OF	+2
9	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	–
10	Starling Marte	PIT	OF	-2
11	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	–
12	Jose Ramirez	CLE	2B/3B	+3
13	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
14	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	-2
15	Byron Buxton	MIN	OF	+1
16	Mookie Betts	BOS	OF	-2
17	Delino DeShields	TEX	OF	+2
18	Trevor Story	COL	SS	+3
19	Elvis Andrus	TEX	SS	-2
20	Jean Segura	PHI	SS	-2
21	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	-1
22	Fernando Tatis Jr.	SD	SS	Unranked
23	Andrew Benintendi	BOS	OF	–
24	Javier Baez	CHC	2B/3B/SS	–
25	Ender Inciarte	ATL	OF	-2

Off the List: Ronald Acuna Jr.

With their fair share of injuries, the Nationals have moved Victor Robles into the two hole in their lineup. He earned that promotion in the order after hitting well at the bottom of the order most of the year. The Nationals will eventually get healthy and Robles will likely be pushed back down, I am hoping they keep him towards the top.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Delino DeShields	TEX	OF	–
2	Leury Garcia	CHW	OF	–
3	Kevin Kiermaier	TB	OF	–
4	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	–
5	Jarrod Dyson	ARZ	OF	–
6	Kevin Pillar	SF	OF	–
7	Dwight Smith Jr.	BAL	OF	+3
8	David Fletcher	LAA	2B/3B	-1
9	Garrett Hampson	COL	2B/SS	–
10	Adam Frazier	PIT	2B/OF	-2

Off the List: None

Not much in terms of changes. Quality steals are pretty scarce and if you need them it is probably going to have to be via trade.

 

On-Base Percentage (OBP)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Mike Trout	LAA	OF	–
2	Bryce Harper	PHI	OF	–
3	Freddie Freeman	ATL	1B	+1
4	Joey Votto	CIN	1B	-1
5	Alex Bregman	HOU	3B/SS	+1
6	Jose Altuve	HOU	2B	+1
7	Anthony Rendon	WSH	3B	+2
8	J.D. Martinez	BOS	OF	–
9	Christian Yelich	MIL	OF	+1
10	Lorenzo Cain	MIL	OF	+1
11	Cody Bellinger	LAD	1B/OF	+3
12	Mookie Betts	BOS	BOS	–
13	Paul Goldschmidt	STL	1B	–
14	Juan Soto	WSH	OF	+1
15	Andrew McCutchen	PHI	OF	+1
16	Rhys Hoskins	PHI	1B/OF	+2
17	Kris Bryant	CHC	3B/OF	–
18	Nolan Arenado	COL	3B	+2
19	Tommy Pham	TB	OF	+5
20	Matt Carpenter	STL	1B	-1
21	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	–
22	Anthony Rizzo	CHC	1B	–
23	Carlos Santana	CLE	1B/3B	Unranked
24	Michael Conforto	NYM	OF	+1
25	Edwin Encarnacion	SEA	1B	-2

Off the List: Aaron Judge (injury)

With his vision issues out of sight, Tommy Pham is certainly putting those shiny new peepers to good use and is currently sporting a .400+ OBP. Pham is a multi-category contributor in fantasy and far more valuable in OBP leagues. Somehow, he continues to be somewhat underrated.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Shin-Soo Choo	TEX	OF	+2
2	Brett Gardner	NYY	OF	–
3	Jeff McNeil	NYM	2B/OF	+5
4	Ben Zobrist	CHC	2B/OF	-3
5	Nick Markakis	ATL	OF	–
6	Josh Bell	PIT	1B	–
7	Jorge Polanco	MIN	SS	Unranked
8	Hunter Dozier	KC	1B/3B	Unranked
9	Dansby Swanson	ATL	SS	–
10	Niko Goodrum	DET	1B/2B/3B/SS/OF	–

Off the List: Joc Pederson (ownership), Yonder Alonso

Brett Gardner remains a staple on this list. He has always been a great source of OBP, and will also chip in his fair share of runs and stolen bases.  The fact that he is still roughly 70% available with all the injuries to the Yankees starting nine is odd.

 

Wins (W)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
2	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
3	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	+2
4	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
5	Corey Kluber	CLE	SP	-2
6	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
7	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	+1
8	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	+1
9	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	+2
10	James Paxton	NYY	SP	+2
11	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	SP	-4
12	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	-2
13	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
14	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	+2
15	German Marquez	COL	SP	–
16	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	-3
17	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	+1
18	Jameson Taillon	PIT	SP	-1
19	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	+3
20	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	+1
21	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	SP	-1
22	Tyler Glasnow	TB	SP/RP	+3
23	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	–
24	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
25	Marco Gonzales	SEA	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Kyle Freeland

I finally caved and put Marco Gonzales on the list. As I am writing this, he still leads the league in wins, so I feel like he needs to be acknowledged until further notice. I could very well see Gonzales joining the likes of Rick Porcello, Jason Vargas, and Chris Tillman in recent years, or guys who seemingly do not fit in among league leaders in victories come season’s end. Although, Gonzales is far more talented pitcher than any of those three.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	+1
2	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	-1
3	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	+4
4	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	+1
5	Zach Eflin	PHI	SP	-1
6	Jordan Lyles	PIT	SP	Unranked
7	Mike Leake	SEA	SP	Unranked
8	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	Unranked
9	Dereck Rodriguez	SF	SP	Unranked
10	Zach Davies	MIL	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Max Fried (ownership), Marcus Stroman (ownership), Domingo German (ownership), Ryan Yarbrough, Jhoulys Chacin

Yonny Chirinos has somewhat taken on and run with Ryan Yarbrough’s role from a year ago. Whether it is starting or taking on the bulk of the innings after an opener, Chirinos has a very good chance at racking up some victories.

 

Earned Run Average (ERA)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
2	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
3	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	–
4	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
5	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
6	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	–
7	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
8	Corey Kluber	CLE	SP	–
9	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
10	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	–
11	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	SP	–
12	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
13	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	+1
14	James Paxton	NYY	SP	+1
15	Jameson Taillon	PIT	SP	-2
16	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	–
17	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+1
18	German Marquez	COL	SP	+1
19	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	+2
20	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	-3
21	Kyle Hendricks	CHC	SP	-1
22	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	–
23	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
24	Tyler Glasnow	TB	SP/RP	–
25	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Madison Bumgarner

I just cannot get enough of Luis Castillo. He is every bit of the ace we were hoping for a year ago. I am all in, buying  anywhere I can.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Trevor Williams	PIT	SP	–
2	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	+3
3	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	+7
4	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	Unranked
5	Sonny Gray	CIN	SP/RP	+2
6	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	–
7	Brad Keller	KC	SP/RP	-4
8	Aaron Sanchez	TOR	SP	Unranked
9	Trevor Richards	MIA	SP	-1
10	Merrill Kelly	ARZ	SP	-1

Off the List: Marcus Stroman (ownership), Max Fried (ownership)

The new splitter that Frankie Montas has introduced this year has been the difference maker. Montas already pumps into the upper 90’s, but now this splitter that falls off the table to hitters has them all sorts of fooled. We could be looking at a breakout.

 

Strikeouts (K)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
2	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
3	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
4	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
5	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	–
6	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
7	James Paxton	NYY	SP	–
8	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	–
9	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	SP	–
10	Corey Kluber	CLE	SP	–
11	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	+1
12	German Marquez	COL	SP	+1
13	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	-2
14	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	–
15	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	–
16	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
17	Robbie Ray	ARZ	SP	+1
18	Walker Buehler	LAD	SP	-1
19	Chris Archer	PIT	SP	+2
20	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
21	Jack Flaherty	STL	SP	-2
22	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	–
23	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	–
24	Matthew Boyd	DET	SP	–
25	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	–

Off the List: None

I was vehement that Chris Archer was personae non gratae coming into this year, but he is doing his best to make me reconsider. His slider usage is down and his fastball usage is up, which, when looking back, was the formula to his 2015 success. It is surprising to witness this consider his fastball was horrid the past couple years.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	+2
2	Derek Holland	SF	SP	–
3	Brandon Woodruff	MIL	SP/RP	-2
4	Jakob Junis	KC	SP	–
5	Spencer Turnbull	DET	SP	+1
6	Luke Weaver	ARZ	SP/RP	+2
7	Pablo Lopez	MIA	SP	Unranked
8	Vince Velasquez	PHI	SP	Unranked
9	Reynaldo Lopez	CHW	SP	Unranked
10	Dylan Bundy	BAL	SP	–

Off the List: Carlos Rodon (ownership), Domingo German (ownership), Lucas Giolito

Vince Velasquez might finally be figuring it out. His velocity is up a tick and he is throwing his fastball more often with good command. It feels like a lifetime ago when he struck out 16 Padres and everyone wanted their share of him. Here’s to hoping he has finally turned the corner.

 

Saves (SV)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Edwin Diaz	NYM	RP	–
2	Blake Treinen	OAK	RP	–
3	Kenley Jansen	LAD	RP	–
4	Roberto Osuna	HOU	RP	+1
5	Brad Hand	CLE	RP	+1
6	Aroldis Chapman	NYY	RP	-2
7	Kirby Yates	SD	RP	+1
8	Felipe Vazquez	PIT	RP	-1
9	Sean Doolittle	WSH	RP	+1
10	Ken Giles	TOR	RP	+1
11	Jordan Hicks	STL	RP	+2
12	Josh Hader	MIL	RP	–
13	Jose Leclerc	TEX	RP	-4
14	Wade Davis	COL	RP	-1
15	Greg Holland	ARZ	RP	–
16	A.J. Minter	ATL	RP	–
17	Shane Greene	DET	RP	+3
18	Ryan Brasier	BOS	RP	Unranked
19	Raisel Iglesias	CIN	RP	+3
20	Will Smith	SF	RP	+1
21	Alex Colome	CHW	RP	-4
22	Jose Alvarado	TB	RP	-4
23	Pedro Strop	CHC	RP	+1
24	Hector Neris	PHI	RP	Unranked
25	Blake Parker	MIN	RP	-2

Off the List: Cody Allen, Anthony Swarzak

Ryan Brasier appears to have a stronghold on the Red Sox closer role. Their bullpen, like the team itself, has been a mess. Brasier, however, is still worthy of a roster spot as its likely Boston turns it around very soon.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-Team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	A.J. Minter	ATL	RP	–
2	Pedro Strop	CHC	RP	Unranked
3	Hector Neris	PHI	RP	+3
4	Blake Parker	MIN	RP	-2
5	Sergio Romo	MIA	SP/RP	+4
6	Anthony Swarzak	SEA	RP	-3
7	Roenis Elias	SEA	SP/RP	Unranked
8	Jeremy Jeffress	MIL	RP	-3
9	Mychal Givens	BAL	RP	-1
10	Brandon Morrow	CHC	RP	-3

Off the List: Ryan Brasier (ownership), Richard Lovelady

With the news of Brandon Morrow being shut down from throwing for the next couple weeks, Pedro Strop needs to universally owned.

 

WHIP (Walks+Hits/Innings Pitched)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
2	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
3	Blake Snell	TB	SP	–
4	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
5	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	–
6	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
7	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	–
8	Corey Kluber	CLE	SP	–
9	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
10	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	SP	–
11	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	–
12	James Paxton	NYY	SP	–
13	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	–
14	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
15	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	+1
16	Jameson Taillon	PIT	SP	-1
17	German Marquez	COL	SP	–
18	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	+1
19	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	+1
20	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	SP	-2
21	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	–
22	Kyle Hendricks	CHC	SP	–
23	Shane Bieber	CLE	SP	–
24	David Price	BOS	SP	–
25	Madison Bumgarner	SF	SP	–

Off the List: None

Zack Greinke has turned his season back around from an opening day implosion. His numbers are back to being much more Greinke-like, and he is doing a superb job at limiting base runners. While his velocity is pretty poor, he is too good of a pitcher to be anything less than steady.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Trevor Williams	PIT	SP	–
2	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	–
3	Yonny Chirinos	TB	SP/RP	+2
4	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	Unranked
5	Sonny Gray	CIN	SP/RP	–
6	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	+1
7	Jeff Samardzija	SF	SP	-4
8	Wade Miley	HOU	SP	Unranked
9	Brad Keller	KC	SP	-1
10	Steven Matz	NYM	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Domingo German (ownership), Max Fried (ownership), Zach Eflin

Caleb Smith, like his slider, has been absolute money. While the slide piece hasn’t been as effective as it was in 2018, Smith certainly has been sensational. He has all the tools to become a very solid fantasy starter.

 

Quality Starts (QS)

 

Top 25

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Max Scherzer	WSH	SP	–
2	Jacob deGrom	NYM	SP	–
3	Justin Verlander	HOU	SP	–
4	Trevor Bauer	CLE	SP	–
5	Gerrit Cole	HOU	SP	–
6	Corey Kluber	CLE	SP	–
7	Aaron Nola	PHI	SP	–
8	Blake Snell	TB	SP	+1
9	Chris Sale	BOS	SP	-1
10	Noah Syndergaard	NYM	SP	–
11	Carlos Carrasco	CLE	SP	–
12	Jameson Taillon	PIT	SP	–
13	Zack Greinke	ARZ	SP	–
14	Jose Berrios	MIN	SP	–
15	Patrick Corbin	WSH	SP	–
16	German Marquez	COL	SP	–
17	James Paxton	NYY	SP	–
18	Clayton Kershaw	LAD	SP	–
19	Luis Castillo	CIN	SP	–
20	Stephen Strasburg	WSH	SP	–
21	Charlie Morton	TB	SP	–
22	Madison Bumgarner	SF	SP	–
23	Tyler Glasnow	TB	SP/RP	+1
24	Masahiro Tanaka	NYY	SP	-1
25	Cole Hamels	CHC	SP	Unranked

Off the List: Kyle Freeland (injury)

Not a lot of change here. Cole Hamels cracks the list as he is a guy who you can count on to pitch enough innings to potentially gain a QS. He does however have an extraordinarily low BABIP to this point, so he is worth monitoring, but so far he has been very good based on his 3.44 xFIP.

Deep League Top 10 (>12-team leagues/65% owned or less)

Rank	Name	Team	Position	Change
1	Trevor Williams	PIT	SP	–
2	Mike Minor	TEX	SP	+1
3	Mike Leake	SEA	SP	+2
4	Frankie Montas	OAK	SP	+3
5	Caleb Smith	MIA	SP	Unranked
6	Steven Matz	NYM	SP	+2
7	Merrill Kelly	ARZ	SP	Unranked
8	Trevor Richards	MIA	SP	-4
9	Brett Anderson	OAK	SP	–
10	Brad Keller	KC	SP/RP	–

Off the List: Marcus Stroman (ownership), Max Fried (ownership)

It really comes down to matchups when looking for quality starts. A lot of guys widely available are all matchup-dependent. Although, Trevor Williams sure is moving his way into that must-start category.

 

Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)